Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 8, 2016 - Sept. 8 - The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
[Micah 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30 and Matt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23,707]THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY [Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30 and Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23) We know that all things work for good for those who love, God, who are called according to his purpose. [Romans] When I was pastor of St. Ann's Parish in San Antonio, there was a statue in the years in front of the parish office which depicted St. Ann with Mary, who is shown as a little girl! I found that a very refreshing image because of the many other rather glorified depictions we have of Mary in our Church. It reminded me that she was born just like you and me and had a mother and father just like you and me. Her life was an ordinary life in Nazareth up until the day that Angel Gabriel showed up! She had no way of knowing about the Immaculate Conception or of what the meaning of her life would subsequently be. St. Paul puts it simply today "that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." That describes her life, even with its terrible sorrows, perfectly. The gospel scripture today places her life in context, both in that genealogy and in the decision of Joseph to accept her. Every birthday brings the opportunity to reflect not so much on how many years we have lived as to reflect on what those years have brought about. Today we can reflect on Mary's meaning for the Church and for each of us personally and wish her a "Happy Birthday!" AMEN